Attachments
OVERVIEW
The recent ceasefire agreement in Lebanon between Israel and the armed group and political party Hezbollah took effect on 27 November 2024, marking the end of 14 months of hostilities between the two parties (BBC 27/01/2025; The Washington Institute for Near East Policy 28/01/2025).
According to the initial terms of the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was required to withdraw from the area between the Blue Line — Lebanon and Israel’s unofficial, UN-drawn border — and the Litani River, approximately 30km to the north. Israeli forces were expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers. All these measures were to be carried out over a 60-day period from the start of the ceasefire, with the initial withdrawal deadline set for 26 January (BBC 27/01/2025 and BBC 27/11/2024; UN News 26/11/2024).
Accusations and delays in implementation led to the ceasefire’s extension until 18 February. Israel accused the Lebanese Government of failing to fully implement its part of the agreement by not asking Hezbollah to leave southern Lebanon. At the same time, the Israeli army continued maintaining its presence in southern Lebanon in violation of the agreement (WH 26/01/2025; BBC 27/01/2025; France 24 13/02/2025). Until 18 February, the Israeli military had been stationed in several areas in southern Lebanon, occupying parts of Lebanon, enforcing movement restrictions, and preventing people from returning to more than 60 villages in the region (OCHA 24/01/2025; Anera 16/01/2025). On 18 February, as part of the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces withdrew from these border villages, allowing the LAF to take control of the area (AP 18/02/2025).
By the end of February, LAF troops had deployed to Aabbasiyyeh, Bint Jbeil, Blida, Houla, Kafr Kila, Mahbib, Majidieh, Marjayoun, Markaba, Maroun Al Ras, Mays Al Jabal, Odaisseh, Yaron, and multiple other locations in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border (AP 18/02/2025; Times of Israel 18/02/2025). In violation of the agreement, however, Israeli troops remained deployed at five ‘strategic points’ or hilltops – in Al Awaida, Al Aziyah, Al Hamames, Jabal Bilat, and Labbouneh – overlooking areas on both sides the border (AP 18/02/2025; Times of Israel 18/02/2025; CNN 18/02/2025; AJ 18/02/2025).
Despite the ceasefire, Lebanon continues to grapple with severe humanitarian challenges, as widespread destruction has worsened the country’s economic and social crises, further straining essential services and deepening affected populations’ needs (ICRC 04/01/2025). The numerous ceasefire violations add to the uncertainty of an already fragile situation (OCHA 1 16/01/2025). Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire, carrying out over 330 shelling and aerial strikes during the first 60 days of the truce, while also intensifying ground operations in southern Lebanon, including large-scale clearing and property destruction (ACLED 29/01/2025). On 27 January, Israeli forces fired on civilians attempting to return home. 17 were wounded and two died (Al Jazeera 27/01/2025). The day before, Israeli forces killed 22 civilians and wounded 123 as they attempted to return home (Reuters 27/01/2025; AJ 26/01/2025; The Washington Institute for Near East Policy 28/01/2025). Israel has also accused Hezbollah of failing to comply with the agreement by not fully withdrawing its combatants and military equipment from southern Lebanon (NYT 18/02/2025; AA 05/01/2025)